MPS told Ford’s British bosses they have a moral obligation to rescue former factory workers’ devalued pensions.

A group of 15 MPs grilled Joe Greenwell, chairman of Ford of Britain, and a delegation of senior executives from the motoring giant on the issue in the House of Commons last Thursday.

Ownership of former car parts factories across the country, including one in Christopher Martin Road, Basildon, transferred from Ford to Visteon UK in 2000.

But hundreds of former workers suffered a collapse in the value of their pensions after Visteon UK went into liquidation in March last year.

South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe said Ford had a moral obligation to the pensioners.

A Ford spokesman said: “Ford communicated its position consistently as having done the right thing in respect of the pension arrangements.”